Ciccio Nero ripening nicely

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pino

Registered:1383190021
Posts: 2,118

Posted 1411088374 · Edited	Reply with quote #1

My in-ground Ciccio (fico) Nero (Mt. Aetna type fig) is ripening figs nicely now. Hoping for a long hot autumn so I can keep harvesting figs :) This fig tree bush (20yrs old now) didn't get damaged too bad last winter and started growing on time but seems to be 2 weeks late in ripening figs this cold wet year. This is a very nice tasting fig, a definite seed crunch, sweet and real figgy berry taste rich flavour. Attached Images ciccio_one_2014.jpg (135.43 KB, 67 views) ciccio_nero_leaf_2014.jpg (150.64 KB, 95 views) ciccio_eye_20140916-00321.jpg (76.85 KB, 96 views) Lincoln-20140916-00320.jpg (147.26 KB, 90 views) Lincoln-20140916-00319.jpg (178.00 KB, 74 views) __________________ Pino, zone 6, Niagara, JCJ Acres Wish; Peace on earth and more figs Italian 258, Galicia Negra, Luv, trade suggestions welcome.

nelson20vt

Registered:1259864353
Posts: 1,847

Posted 1411088764	Reply with quote #2

Great looking fig Pino, I think you sent me this one. Nelson __________________ Mississauga, ON, Canada Z5B/6A

pino

Registered:1383190021
Posts: 2,118

Posted 1411089148	Reply with quote #3

Hi Nelson Yes I did. For me it is a keeper since it just keeps producing! __________________ Pino, zone 6, Niagara, JCJ Acres Wish; Peace on earth and more figs Italian 258, Galicia Negra, Luv, trade suggestions welcome.

nelson20vt

Registered:1259864353
Posts: 1,847

Posted 1411090116	Reply with quote #4

Hi Pino, I agree roots well and eager to produce figs even when only a couple months old I'm thinking of eventually trying it inground. __________________ Mississauga, ON, Canada Z5B/6A

rafaelissimmo

Registered:1335639347
Posts: 1,473

Posted 1411091230	Reply with quote #5

Beautiful fruit Pino. A long hot autumn? I believe there is a freeze warning for tonite in all of Eastern Canada. :-( __________________ Zone 7b, Queens, New York

pino

Registered:1383190021
Posts: 2,118

Posted 1411091724	Reply with quote #6

Nelson, it grows great in-ground but also fine in a container. My container ones have been producing since Sep 10. I can post those photos if you like? Rafael, don't even say the word freeze. If we get past tonight they are calling for nice weather for the next 10 days:) __________________ Pino, zone 6, Niagara, JCJ Acres Wish; Peace on earth and more figs Italian 258, Galicia Negra, Luv, trade suggestions welcome.

nelson20vt

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Posts: 1,847

Posted 1411091905	Reply with quote #7

Only in Canada where we can have 4 seasons in one week. __________________ Mississauga, ON, Canada Z5B/6A

waynea

Registered:1362316304
Posts: 1,886

Posted 1411092714	Reply with quote #8

Pino, where are you Upper Americans getting such great fig varieties? Good job and 14 year old (bush?) that didn't get damaged, wow!

lampo

Registered:1329071797
Posts: 2,062

Posted 1411129024	Reply with quote #9

Very nice fig Pino. Francisco

pino

Registered:1383190021
Posts: 2,118

Posted 1411160247	Reply with quote #10

Waynea, a lot of ethnic immigrants came and seem to have brought their fig trees. I think they are not that different than the ones brought in via N.Y. I was expecting for it to get damaged last winter given my container figs in the barn got set back. But it actually fared better than past years primarily due to the fact that it got very little vole damage. Where in past years the vole damage was worse. The mouse population must have got hit last winter. too bad for them:) Thanks Francisco! I wish I knew how to let the figs hang there until they are dripping with honey like you do. I picked this one a day or 2 early. The next batch that is ripening I promise I will be more patient and let them fully ripen. __________________ Pino, zone 6, Niagara, JCJ Acres Wish; Peace on earth and more figs Italian 258, Galicia Negra, Luv, trade suggestions welcome.

Johnparav

Registered:1282396529
Posts: 479

Posted 1411165226	Reply with quote #11

Hey Joe , I am looking forward to this one for next year . The plant you gave me is doing very well with lots of shoots and branches . I will prune it back for shaping this fall . Its nice to see that it ripens in this terrible weather . If you can post any photos of dripping ripe figs that would be great . John

pino

Registered:1383190021
Posts: 2,118

Posted 1411183792	Reply with quote #12

Hi John It is a very dependable cold hardy variety. Though I don't recall seeing them actually dripping honey. It has a tight closed eye don't know if that matters. Maybe it is just me not being able to wait long enough and let them ripen fully. I will leave a couple and see if they do any dripping. __________________ Pino, zone 6, Niagara, JCJ Acres Wish; Peace on earth and more figs Italian 258, Galicia Negra, Luv, trade suggestions welcome.

pino

Registered:1383190021
Posts: 2,118

Posted 1411676279	Reply with quote #13

Thought I would keep this thread updated with the progress of my in-ground figs since I haven't seen any other in-grounds reported on in zone 6/5. U. Ciccio Nero is really starting to come along now producing a bowl of figs a day. Not like previous years where I was getting 2 3L baskets a day for Sep/Oct. This is since my real workhorse U. Ciccio bianco got uncovered by strong winds during winter and was cut down to the ground. He has come back nicely but only has a few figs with still some time to go. this is what is left of poor U. ciccio bianco Luckily his black brother fared better with last winter here are yesterday's fruits. I thought this Ciccio Nero fig looked funny. After a few drinks it starts to resemble dall'osso? Below are more photos of figs I picked and many more on the tree coming along nicely. I must admit that by pinching the shoots and green figs that wouldn't ripen has made a difference in bringing more figs to ripen together and sooner. One concern is that there are many leaves turning yellow on the west side where most of the sun shines. I decided to pick off the yellow and beat up leaves and see if it helps ripen the figs faster. Attached Images cin_bowl.jpg (295.09 KB, 34 views) cn_pulp.jpg (249.83 KB, 37 views) cn_pulp_2.jpg (128.43 KB, 43 views) cn_coming_along_IMG_0842.jpg (224.35 KB, 43 views) CN_20140924-00361.jpg (79.64 KB, 49 views) cn_20140924-00363.jpg (159.45 KB, 50 views) cn_Lincoln-20140924-00362.jpg (135.21 KB, 43 views) Lincoln-20140924-00362.jpg (186.24 KB, 43 views) cn_Lincoln-20140924-00360.jpg (100.07 KB, 49 views) Lincoln-20140924-00360.jpg (222.51 KB, 48 views) __________________ Pino, zone 6, Niagara, JCJ Acres Wish; Peace on earth and more figs Italian 258, Galicia Negra, Luv, trade suggestions welcome.

nelson20vt

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Posts: 1,847

Posted 1411687624	Reply with quote #14

Looks great Joe, I'm glad I have this one and might even grow it inground. __________________ Mississauga, ON, Canada Z5B/6A

pino

Registered:1383190021
Posts: 2,118

Posted 1411693065	Reply with quote #15

Thanks Nelson! It is definitely a reliable supplier of tasty dark figs when grown in-ground. Usually they look good so I pick them when they soften and they taste nice. I finally let one fig get really ripe and it was juicy and had a bright jammy flavour with strong hints of strawberry. Had no idea it could taste like that. Have to keep my hands off them until they are ready what a treat. __________________ Pino, zone 6, Niagara, JCJ Acres Wish; Peace on earth and more figs Italian 258, Galicia Negra, Luv, trade suggestions welcome.

KCMarie

Registered:1372945291
Posts: 92

Posted 1411728410	Reply with quote #16

Looks like it's a prolific plant! What a joy to be able to have an inground plant produce so nicely in a Zone 6. Good job there, Pino! __________________ Marie in Kansas City area Zone 5b or close to it

pino

Registered:1383190021
Posts: 2,118

Posted 1411736341	Reply with quote #17

Thanks Marie! To be honest it is a lot of work to protect them for winter since they got so big. Kansas City may be a bit more challenging since a Zone5b vs 6a here. __________________ Pino, zone 6, Niagara, JCJ Acres Wish; Peace on earth and more figs Italian 258, Galicia Negra, Luv, trade suggestions welcome.

1king

Registered:1346808162
Posts: 60

Posted 1411743411	Reply with quote #18

Thanks for all the great pics + info Pino. I noticed a hoop in one of the shots - are you "cheating" in the spring using a hoophouse or is that for winter protection?We have a zone6a place by a Okanagan lake and I'm planning on doing a spring warm up with small hoops and poly to protect from late frosts with row cover and if really needed a heater for a few nights. Have you tryed anything like this with small in ground trees? __________________ ivan - coastal bc

GregMartin

Registered:1370378358
Posts: 550

Posted 1411745473	Reply with quote #19

Are those apples in the background Pino? __________________ zone 5 Maine Seeking: Saint Martin, Naples White, Black Tuscan, Bécane, French Alps, Abruzzi, Tenica, Wild Mountain Figs from the coldest corners (Iranian, Turkish or other...would love seeds too)

pino

Registered:1383190021
Posts: 2,118

Posted 1411749973	Reply with quote #20

Ivan, I just put the greenhouse hoops up a couple of weeks ago when there was threat of frost. Haven't used them yet and will be taking them down for now since I need bigger hoops anyway. I may not need them for this year anyway since I was very thorough with my pinching this year and as of now it looks like most of the figs will get ripened on their own:) Pinching worked wonders! Going forward since I am near (deep and cold) lake Ontario for May and June we seem to get constant N.E. winds off the lake that keeps temps very cool for those 2 months. So my plan is to use a hoop house cover in May/June so the figs get a good start. I think that will go a long way for my late ripening varieties. I don't think Ciccio Nero needs the help since he has produced great for the last 19 years anyway. Greg, yes those are Macintosh and Northern Spy Apples. __________________ Pino, zone 6, Niagara, JCJ Acres Wish; Peace on earth and more figs Italian 258, Galicia Negra, Luv, trade suggestions welcome.

cis4elk

Registered:1347840383
Posts: 1,719

Posted 1411754021	Reply with quote #21

Looks like a great work-horse. How do you protect it? __________________ Calvin Littleton,CO z5/6 Wants List: For everyone to clean-up after themselves and co-exist peacefully. Let's think more about the future of our planet and less about ourselves. :)

pino

Registered:1383190021
Posts: 2,118

Posted 1411757087	Reply with quote #22

Calvin, Covering these isn't a pretty sight. I bend and tie down what ever branches are flexible, cut the rest of the trees back to 4' high and 8' wide, then pile up dry straw and leaves, do a make shift wall with plywood and then cover with a 2 or 3 layer poly. The Poly has been reused for many years so it has holes and there is air circulation. In the past the problem has been the voles/mice not the winter cold. This year I will be modifying this method and incorporating jdsfrance's method. Namely will use compost to cover the figs instead of straw and leaves. This should help with the mice problem and should restore some fertility to the soil. __________________ Pino, zone 6, Niagara, JCJ Acres Wish; Peace on earth and more figs Italian 258, Galicia Negra, Luv, trade suggestions welcome.

pino

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Posts: 2,118

Posted 1411759330 · Edited	Reply with quote #23

Calvin This is what they look like covered up in winter. They are approx. 20'x70'. Sorry to those that can't stand the shock of seeing snow at this time year..LOL These are my old figs planted 15-19 years ago. I am planning to put in a new row of cold hardy figs to trial. For that I will be using a variant of espalier step over method. I will forego brebas and will try and keep things low to the ground to make it easier covering. Attached Images fig_cover_-20140307-00120.jpg (115.01 KB, 19 views) __________________ Pino, zone 6, Niagara, JCJ Acres Wish; Peace on earth and more figs Italian 258, Galicia Negra, Luv, trade suggestions welcome.

GregMartin

Registered:1370378358
Posts: 550

Posted 1411763420	Reply with quote #24

Very nice Pino. No need to apologize about the snow pics....helps to remind me why I need to finish splitting my wood! __________________ zone 5 Maine Seeking: Saint Martin, Naples White, Black Tuscan, Bécane, French Alps, Abruzzi, Tenica, Wild Mountain Figs from the coldest corners (Iranian, Turkish or other...would love seeds too)

cis4elk

Registered:1347840383
Posts: 1,719

Posted 1411771215	Reply with quote #25

Makes me think of hunting pheasants and whitetails as a youngster in North Dakota! __________________ Calvin Littleton,CO z5/6 Wants List: For everyone to clean-up after themselves and co-exist peacefully. Let's think more about the future of our planet and less about ourselves. :)

cis4elk

Registered:1347840383
Posts: 1,719

Posted 1411771248	Reply with quote #26

Thanks for sharing that by the way. :) __________________ Calvin Littleton,CO z5/6 Wants List: For everyone to clean-up after themselves and co-exist peacefully. Let's think more about the future of our planet and less about ourselves. :)

pino

Registered:1383190021
Posts: 2,118

Posted 1411852071	Reply with quote #27

I couldn't' resist 1 more posting on this thread. Fig purist hold your nose but my Persian walnuts are dropping and that is great news because they go great with fresh and dried figs. They sure get yummier the longer you let them ripen. happy figging to all! __________________ Pino, zone 6, Niagara, JCJ Acres Wish; Peace on earth and more figs Italian 258, Galicia Negra, Luv, trade suggestions welcome.

waynea

Registered:1362316304
Posts: 1,886

Posted 1411855530	Reply with quote #28

Nice setup, I remember the snow living in NH, thanks for the memories.

hblta

Registered:1277578212
Posts: 711

Posted 1411868641	Reply with quote #29

great looking fig, Pino. __________________ ************* Grant Kitchener Ontario Canada Z5b

ascpete

Registered:1336096379
Posts: 1,942

Posted 1411870571	Reply with quote #30

Pino, Thanks for sharing the pictures and info, and your winterization procedure. I'm planning on planting several more in ground trees of a found NYC fig, Unknown BryantDark. Its Pictures and taste description is similar to your U. Ciccio Nero.

Vladis

Registered:1390659900
Posts: 352

Posted 1411888209	Reply with quote #31

Пино, приют зимой с помощью моего коллегу в России. __________________ Зона 8Б ,Туапсе, Россия.

pino

Registered:1383190021
Posts: 2,118

Posted 1411905757	Reply with quote #32

Thanks Grant and to all for the feedback. Hey I am just glad to have a few figs to enjoy after last winter and cool spring and first part of summer:) Pete, we are in similar zones and I am planning to trial more varieties. I follow your posts on training and growing and planning accordingly. Vladis, you have read my mind! Your cold protection method is what I dream my new row of figs will look like. Thanks for the great photo! I hope you can tell us how you put this together? What materials were used and how do you hold them together? __________________ Pino, zone 6, Niagara, JCJ Acres Wish; Peace on earth and more figs Italian 258, Galicia Negra, Luv, trade suggestions welcome.

KCMarie

Registered:1372945291
Posts: 92

Posted 1411915134	Reply with quote #33

Hmm...nice food for thought, thank you Vladis! My cold hardy varieties are going in ground next year so I will remember this wood box concept. Thank you! __________________ Marie in Kansas City area Zone 5b or close to it

Vladis

Registered:1390659900
Posts: 352

Posted 1411928182	Reply with quote #34

Приют для инжира. __________________ Зона 8Б ,Туапсе, Россия.

pino

Registered:1383190021
Posts: 2,118

Posted 1411929868	Reply with quote #35

Vladis, your winter protection looks very interesting! Thanks for sharing! __________________ Pino, zone 6, Niagara, JCJ Acres Wish; Peace on earth and more figs Italian 258, Galicia Negra, Luv, trade suggestions welcome.

Luzzu

Registered:1410823791
Posts: 97

Posted 1412044429	Reply with quote #36

Pino very impressive the lengths you go through to make sure these figs survive the winter when I'm in Niagara I would love to come by and of course I would bring the coffee Vladis I'm also impressed with your work it seems like a lot of work do you take it apart every spring or does the actual box stay in place? __________________ Brampton, ON Zone 5b

pino

Registered:1383190021
Posts: 2,118

Posted 1412044761	Reply with quote #37

Luzzu, That sounds great! Send me a pm and we'll arrange. Maybe we can trade fig trees! __________________ Pino, zone 6, Niagara, JCJ Acres Wish; Peace on earth and more figs Italian 258, Galicia Negra, Luv, trade suggestions welcome.

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